Wednesday 22 February 2012

Distant Waterworld

Artist's impression of GJ 1214b  
GJ 1214b orbits close to its host star, as this artist's impression shows.

Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a new class of planet: a waterworld with a thick, steamy atmosphere. The exoplanet GJ 1214b is a so-called "Super Earth" - bigger than our planet, but smaller than gas giants such as Jupiter.

More, from the BBC, here.

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